Pitt senior defensive tackle Aaron Donald received yet another honor Monday when the Maxwell Football Club included his name in its watch list for the Bednarik Award, which is annually presented to the country’s top defensive player.

Donald joins 75 of college football’s top defenders on the list. At the end of the season, the Maxwell Football Club’s selection committee determines the winner of the award based on the player’s past accomplishments and future potential. Although he’s considered undersized for his position, the 6-foot, 285-pound Donald has asserted himself as one of college football’s most disruptive Aaron Donald is one of the nation’s top players. (Sheldon Satenstein / Assistant Visual Editor)forces along the defensive line. During the 2012 season, Donald compiled 65 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble, earning him first-team All-Big East honors for the second year in a row. 

But the Maxwell Football Club is not the only organization that has recognized Donald’s impressive list of accomplishments. He was also named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list. The Lott Trophy is also given to the nation’s top defensive player. 

In addition, he has been named a preseason All-American by Athlon, Lindy’s Sports and Phil Steele. 

Despite the number of accolades Donald has received, he remains levelheaded, saying during a press conference Monday morning at Pitt’s practice facility on the South Side that he needs to maintain his level of play on the field in the fall. 

“I’m excited about [the awards], but I still gotta go out there and play football,” he said.